Spain Archives - Top Spot Travel

August 10, 2016 by Jeremy

Top 5 Spanish Destinations

Spain has long been one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations, cheap flights, beautiful weather, rich culture, fantastic food, beaches and warm people have made Spain a tourist paradise. There is a huge range of places to visit in Spain depending on what it is that you are after and here are our top 5 Spanish destinations that we think you should be heading to this year.

Barcelona

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is not only a great Spanish city but a great European city, this artistically designed city is filled with winding streets that hide away local shops, beautiful restaurants, and lively bars and some of the most luxury houses in Spain. The main attractions in the city are the Nou Camp stadium, home of Barcelona FC, the yet unfinished but none the less stunning Sagrada Familia cathedral and the museum of Pablo Picasso. The city sits on the coast and has a stunning harbor that is adorned with multi-million dollar yachts, a great city and one that you need to visit.

Marbella

Marbella is situated in Spain’s Costa del Sol, it has long been considered to be somewhere that only the wealthy go but in recent years it has become far easier for anyone to visit regardless of their budget. Marbella does offer some of the most luxury houses Spain has to offer but holidaying there can be very reasonable. The beaches in Marbella are arguably the most beautiful in Spain and it makes for the perfect sun kissed holiday. Marbella is also a great place to party, it features the ‘Golden Mile’ a mile long stretch of trendy nightclubs and bars. If you are looking for sun, sea and sand then Marbella is where you should be heading.

Seville

The capital of Andalucia and the home of the famous Flamenco dancing, Sevilla is a beautiful place to spend your vacations. The city is massively influenced by its Moorish past and features architecture that has been influenced by Christians, Jewish and Muslim occupancy in the city. Sevilla is situated on the beautiful River Guadalquivir and its old town is filled with beautiful relics from the past and several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If history is your thing then you will love Sevilla, a relaxed city filled with culture and offers tourists beauty and history.

Madrid

Spain’s capital is an artistic paradise, a beautiful city with huge boulevard style streets, hundreds of open green spaces with beautiful statues and incredible architecture, a prime example being the sprawling Buen Retiro Park with its beautiful fountains. Madrid is a city that it is renowned for its museums of modern and classic art and you should see as much as you can when you’re there. Other places of interest include the Temple of Debod, a reconstructed Egyptian temple, the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, home of Real Madrid FC and the amazing market El Rastro where you can buy amazing local food and crafts. Madrid is definitely worth the visit when you go to Spain and it makes for a great city break if you are short on time.

Figueres

Located in the extreme northeast of Spain, Figures rests in the Catalonia province. Catalonia has long been a quasi-autonomous region of Spain that has been fighting for its independence for hundreds of years. The native language is actually Catalan although everyone speaks Spanish as well. What makes Figueres special is it plays home to the biggest Dali museum in the world. Salvador Dali is probably the most famous surrealist artist in the world.

April 23, 2016 by Jeremy

The best attractions in Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, enjoying warm weather all year round and home to dozens of fantastic beaches. The island offers a diverse range of natural areas and landmarks too, and pulls in millions of tourist visitors per year. Here are a few things not too miss when you visit!

1. Teide National Park

You haven’t seen Tenerife unless you’ve seen Teide National Park. Be sure to rent a car and take a drive through the delicious pine forests and then, check out the bizarre lunar-like landscape that is Mount Teide, the third largest volcano in the world. You can even take a cable car to the top for a birdseye view of what is a truly epic landscape, offering views of the entire island and several nearby ones too!

2. Siam Park

Siam Park has been cited as one of the world’s top ten water parks, so it absolutely can’t be missed. For those who like their thrills and spills in the wet, this Thailand-themed water park is well worth a visit, with dozens of scream-inducing slides and rides, a golden sand beach, giant wave pool and more. There’s even a mini-aquatic park featuring all kinds of aquatic life for the kids to enjoy. Be sure to shop online to get your Tenerife water park passes at the best possible price.

3. Masca

Known as Tenerife’s very own “Shangri-la”, the picturesque village of Masca can be found clinging almost precariously to the mountains overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It’s as if it’s been hidden away from civilization, and indeed, the villagers’ lifestyle is little changed from how people lived centuries ago. The road traversing the mountains up to the village is quite scary, so you may want to close your eyes if you’re of a nervous disposition.

4. Whales and dolphins

The surrounding waters at Tenerife are one of the few places in the world where it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll be able to spot some dolphins and pilot whales between the ocean waves. Indeed, there are dozens of dolphin and whale spotting trips offered from around the island. Alternatively, those who want a really good look can check out the dolphinarium in AquaPark.

5. Pyramids of Güímar

They may not be as impressive as the ones in Egypt, but the Pyramids of Güímar are every bit as mysterious as an episode of Scooby Doo and the Mystery of the Mummy. Are they the missing link between the development of civilizations on either side of the Atlantic? If nothing else, they’re an intriguing sight in a park filled with reed ships, ancient artefacts and tranquil grounds.

November 20, 2015 by Jeremy

What to do in 24 hours in Valencia, Spain

So you’ve put together a flight itinerary lately, and you’ve found yourself having a long layover in the Spanish city of Valencia? Or perhaps you heading there on business, and you have 24 hours to kill before heading back home?

Whatever the reason, here’s what you can do with only one day to spare in Valencia…

1) Explore the City of Arts and Sciences

If you only have time to do one thing while in Valencia, make seeing the super futuristic City of Arts and Science your top priority.

Finished in 2005 at the mouth of the old course of the River Turia (diverted after a tragic flood in 1957), this brilliant steel, concrete and glass structure is home to a number of attractions that celebrate the contributions of the arts and sciences to our modern world.

From L’Hemisfèric, which contains an IMAX cinema and a planetarium, to L’Oceanogràfic, a series of aquariums containing marine species from around the world, there is much to see here and as such, it should be the anchor attraction of your brief 24 hours in Valencia.

2) Poke around Valencia Cathedral

If you are interested in history or culture, then be sure to find the time to take a look around Valencia Cathedral. Built in the 13^th century by the local bishop, this church is noteworthy for being one of a handful in the world that claim to possess the Holy Grail.

However, Valencia Cathedral has the backing of many Christian historians that have concluded from avaialble evidence that the chalice here is indeed the one that Jesus Christ drank out of on the night of the Last Supper.

Apart from that, the design of its interior dome and its collection of 15^th century paintings are additional reasons to include this sight on your tight 24 hour itinerary in Valencia.

3) Dine and drink in Barri del Carme

No matter what you do in Valencia, you will have to get something to eat at some point. When the sun sets and dinner time rolls around, indulge in some Spanish food and drink in Barri del Carme.

This lively neighborhood is home to a number of amazing restaurants, tapas bars, and Valencia’s alternative scene. This will make for a great night out; just be sure to set your alarm before leaving your accommodation … you don’t want to miss your flight in the morning!

Intrigued about what Valencia and the rest of Spain has to offer you and your family? Check out this site for the information you’ll need to plan your Iberian vacation today!

September 7, 2014 by Jeremy

Why Costa Adeje is one of the best beaches on Tenerife

With September well underway, winter holiday planning season is practically in full swing. While there are many destinations that sun-starved northerners abscond to, Tenerife is a popular choice for many excellent reasons.

Among them, its beaches lead the charge, as its lusty shores have attracted sunbathers the world over for generations. Recently, after doing some research into Tenerife’s many seaside accommodation options, seeing a picture of one of its envy-inducing beach has led you to check for cheap all inclusive hotels in Costa Adeje, which is a completely understandable reaction.

Since you are halfway towards going on a trip to this amazing place, we figured we would let you know exactly why we think that Costa Adeje is one of the best beaches on Tenerife. So pack your sunscreen and your two piece swimsuit, because once you are done with this list, you will be booking your plane ticket to Tenerife in short order.

1) It’s a classy place to go on holiday

The more popular places on Tenerife aren’t exactly the most glitziest, as pub culture can cause the main streets of Santa Cruz to resemble one massive uni bar crawl at times. Development in Costa Adeje has focused on more upmarket restaurants, lounges and resorts, making it an ideal base for those that have outgrown the sophomoric party scene on the other side of Tenerife.

2) Like a decent round of golf? Swing away to your heart’s content here!

For many, golf is a lifestyle that often influences one’s choices in holiday destinations. If you wish to marry an excellent beach scene with abundant quality courses, Costa Adeje has you covered. A championship set of links awaits you here, with 27 separate holes available to test your game in every faculty. With views to die for everywhere you shoot, perhaps your biggest challenge will be focusing on the task in front of you!

3) Got a family? You’re well catered for in this corner of Tenerife…

The holiday scene in many parts of Tenerife is often slanted towards those who possess interests of more mature persuasions, leading for a dearth of things to do for families, and ample opportunity for awkward encounters.

Costa Adeje is much more tame, and has attractions that are perfect for the family looking to stay busy with more wholesome pursuits. Water and amusement parks, go-kart tracks, bowling and much more stand ready to compensate for days when you wish to take a break from the beach, and you won’t have to worry about continually covering the eyes of your kids.

September 3, 2014 by jfalbelda

A guide to the Best Vineyards and Best Wineries in Europe

If you are a wine enthusiast then visiting some wineries and vineyards should be a part of your next travelling plans. Beautiful vineyards are scattered throughout the globe, Europe especially has some magnificent vineyards that you can visit whether you’re enjoying your holidays in Turkey, in France or in Spain.

A brief history lesson for those who are unfamiliar with wines:

Made from fermented grapes, wine is a beverage which contains alcohol;
Wine has been around since 6000BC;
The winemaking process was cultivated and improved upon by the Greeks;
Wine plays an important role in religion (Christ’s blood) and was heavily supported by the Church. Monasteries even had their own vineyards (some of the best found in Europe);
Over the centuries, the technology behind making wine has gone through modifications and improvements;
A vineyard is essentially a plantation where grapes are grown (primarily for winemaking purposes).

Should you decide to embark on winery visiting trip, here are some suggestions to get your rolling.

1. Bordeaux, France

France is the world’s largest producer of wine (quelle surprise!) Bordeaux is located in southwest France and it’s the largest wine-producing region, it has been in the business of fermenting grapes since the 8th century. Mostly red wine is produced in this region, commonly referred to as ‘claret’ in Britain. There are multiple vineyards that are easily accessible in Bordeaux and you can make a day of it by visiting other historical attractions and taking part of a few wine tastings.

2. Champagne, France

Another great wine-producing region, Champagne is just a short train ride away from Paris. It is ideal for a one-day or one night getaway, you can spend your day touring the vineyard, tasting some great wines and even exploring some wine cellars that were built thousands of years ago.

3. Piedmont, Italy

Located in the northwest region of Italy, Piedmont can be reached easily via train from Turin or Milan. It’s a beautiful place, which specialises in Nebbiolo grapes. Some great wines to try if you’re in the area are Barbera del Monferrato and Asti Spumante.

4. Tuscany, Italy

If you’re in Italy and you have the time, Tuscany is a charming and beautiful place to visit on its own. The fact that there are vineyards scattered about is merely a plus. The best way of getting to these places is by driving since the train will take you only as far as Florence or Siena. Pack an overnight bag and head to Tuscany for a romantic weekend getaway complete with wine tasting tours.

5. Mosel, Germany

Mosel is the place to go if you want to taste some excellent German wine. Although Germany is typically associated with beer, it is the fourth largest wine-producing country in Europe.

6. La Rioja, Spain

Situated along the picturesque pilgrimage route of Camino de Santiago, La Rioja is known for growing Tempranillo, a very famous and ‘noble’ Spanish grape. The wines from this northern region are very strong since they are soaked in barrels for an extended period of time.

7. Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is one of the oldest vineyard regions in the world and makes wonderful wine using sweet grapes and techniques that have been passed down through the generations family to family. The winery is a family business, owned by the Turasan family and open for wine tasting and visits during select times.

Even for non-wine enthusiasts, vineyards are a great place to visit and experience. Go for a drive with family or friends and enjoy a relaxing a day in the quiet countryside taking in some beautiful scenery.

If nothing else, you’ll learn a lot about this fascinating process stepped in rich history.